Fall 2012

Additional Information Related to Your Semester in Rome

Travel Related

Flight
The College does not offer a group flight to/from Rome. All Rome Program students are required to organize and pay for their own flight to/from Rome.
Ground Transportation Between the Airport and the Hotel in Rome
Students are completely responsible for arranging and paying for all ground transportation service (at the time the service is rendered) relating to their arrival to and departure from the airport and hotel at the beginning and end of the Rome Program.
Your Arrival in Rome
Students are able to check into the Residence Candia beginning at 12pm on Friday, September 7, 2012. The Rome Program begins at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 7, 2012. This means that you must be ready to begin orientation at this time – you should not be just arriving at the hotel at 3:00 p.m. Further, this means that you need to plan your flight arrival time and commute accordingly.
Here are some guidelines you need to consider when purchasing your flight and planning your commute to the hotel:

Time it takes to arrive at your gate upon landing, de-plane, retrieve baggage and go through customs = 1 hour to 1.5 hours

Time it takes to get a taxi = 15 minutes

Time it takes to ride in the taxi from Rome FCO airport to Residence Candia = 1/2 hr to 1 hr depending on traffic.

In conclusion, you will want to add between 1 ¾ to 2 ¾ hours to the time your plane lands as an estimated arrival time at the Residence Candia, the hotel you will be staying at.

*Considering the above guidelines, it is suggested that you do not book a flight that lands in Rome after 12:30 or 1:00 p.m. CEST to be on the safe side *

Student are not permitted to arrive at the hotel after 3:00 p.m. CEST
(A substantial fine is in place for late arrivals to the Program.)

The Rome Program ends on the night (after 11:30 p.m.) of Thursday, November 22, 2012. Students may not depart the Program prior to this time. To accommodate travel arrangements for the morning of Friday, November 23, 2012, we understand that most students will need to stay the night on Thursday, November 22, 2012 thus your housing accommodations will cover this night. All students must depart/check out of the Residence Candia by 12 noon on Friday, November 23, 2012.

At the Airport

Paying for your Taxi
All students are required to pay for their own taxi to/from the hotel from/to the airport (and all other ground transportation costs involved with getting to/from the airport for arrival and departure to/from Rome).

Remember that you need to have Euro already exchanged and ready for you to use to pay for your taxi ride to the hotel upon your arrival in Rome.

Remember to take only the official Roman Taxi—do not accept invitations from other taxi services or unmarked taxis. The official Roman taxi is easily located by exiting the airport terminal and looking for signs directing you to the taxi stand—which is an area where you literally stand to get in the Roman taxi. Here is a link you may find useful in learning more about the taxi system; the website even has a picture of an official Roman taxi. Remember to decline anyone who approaches you about a taxi service when you are in the airport. Just go to the taxi stand outside. http://www.rometoolkit.com/airport/fiumicino_airport_taxi.htm

For All Rome Program Students:

Learn how to navigate the airport prior to your departure by referencing the Rome Guide, the website listed in this document, talking to other travelers, doing your own research, etc.

Be sure you carry the contact information for the Rome Program on you. This information will have the cell phone numbers of our Rome staff so if you encounter issues, you can give them a call.

Do research and purchase a pre-paid calling card that can be used in the Rome airport if needed.

Be sure you have Euro on you ready to use to pay the taxi

Weekend Travel

You are going to receive a list of free weekends when you can plan for independent travel outside of Rome at least 8 weeks before the Program begins. It is suggested that you use the time until you receive the specific free weekends to plan your budget, possible destinations, etc.

Book List

Students traveling to Rome are expected to purchase any necessary books for their studies and bring those books with them to Rome. Do not send books to Rome—your likelihood of not receiving them is great. Further, you will receive a fine on the first day of class for each book that you do not have.

Know that the College does its best to reduce the number of books that you will have to bring over to Rome by providing books in Rome if possible. For example, this is the case with your Italian book. Where possible, we will be using photocopied handouts that you purchase once in Rome or sending you e-copies of chapter/books. You will receive more information on this in the weeks prior to your departure. Again, we ask your understanding as we cannot provide this with every class and there will be some books you will have to purchase in the States and bring with you to Rome.

A complete list of books will be emailed to you at least 6 weeks prior to the beginning of the Rome Program. You should be prepared to order any books necessary immediately upon receipt of the book list to ensure their arrival prior to your departure from the U.S.

Program Trips

Currently, we have tentatively planned the following trips as a part of your Rome Program Experience. Please know that due to the circumstances pertaining to international travel, these trips may change. You will be notified later (at least several weeks prior to your departure) of all confirmed group trips and through the “Free Weekends” or spring semester calendar document that is distributed. We may also update you on this information via email if necessary - so please be aware of both your email and the forthcoming “Free Weekends” or spring semester calendar document for more information on Program group trips and tours.

Assisi

Siena

Florence

Orvieto (optional trip that students will pay for if they choose to attend — around 20 Euro per person)

Subiaco (optional trip that students will pay for if they choose to attend — around 20 Euro per person)